Veterinarians in Punjab have sounded the alarm over the heightened risk of infectious diseases among livestock as floodwaters begin to recede. The crisis, which has already claimed hundreds of animals, now threatens the health of the close to 3.6 lakh livestock population affected by the submergence of villages.
“Floods don’t just wash away homes and crops, they leave behind an invisible trail of pathogens,” said Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). He warned that animals are now vulnerable to a host of infections, from mastitis and babesiosis to tetanus and diarrhoea, due to exposure to contaminated water and fodder.
A major concern for public health experts is the potential for harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to enter the milk supply. “Pasteurisation is non-negotiable right now,” stressed Dr. Ravinder Singh Grewal, Director of Extension Education at GADVASU, advising that only boiled or pasteurized milk should be consumed. He added that unhygienic handling and environmental contamination could easily turn milk into a vehicle for disease.
Dr. Grewal also noted a rise in “three-day sickness” among cattle and cautioned that ticks could cause babesiosis, while flies could contribute to respiratory infections. To mitigate these risks, he recommended that farmers relocate livestock to dry and elevated areas, maintain strict hygiene in sheds, and treat paddy straw with a mixture of water, molasses, and urea to make it safe for consumption.
The GADVASU has deployed teams to help farmers with livestock care, but the scale of the disaster means that continued vigilance and adherence to health advisories are crucial for the well-being of both animals and humans in the state.